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Orioles sign righty Jurrjens to Minor League deal

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Latest on Jurrjens, Orioles 1:35

MLB.com's Hot Stove crew explains the negotiations between the Orioles and Jair Jurrjens and looks at whether the deal may be in jeopardy

By Brittany Ghiroli

SARASOTA, Fla. -- The Orioles officially signed right-hander Jair Jurrjens to a Minor League contract on Friday night with an invitation to Spring Training, a deal that was struck after three weeks in limbo.

Jurrjens' contract was held up due to medical issues pertaining to his right knee. The Orioles ultimately were able to get Jurrjens to agree to a far less risky Minor League deal than what was drawn up originally on Jan. 25. While the figures on Jurrjens deal weren't immediately available, it figures to be much lower than the originally reported terms of one-year, $1.5 million that could escalate to $4 million with incentives.

"Jair Jurrjens has a good track record and is still young," executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette said via text message. "We hope he can regain the form which made him an All-Star in 2011."

Jurrjens, 27, went 3-4 with a 6.89 ERA last year with Atlanta and was non-tendered by the Braves this winter, effectively becoming a free agent. In joining Orioles camp as a non-roster invitee, Jurrjens is competing in an already-crowded rotation picture that includes Jason Hammel, Wei-Yin Chen, Miguel Gonzalez, Chris Tillman, Steve Johnson, Brian Matusz, Jake Arrieta, Zach Britton, Tommy Hunter and Rule 5 Draft pick T.J. McFarland.

Top pitching prospects Dylan Bundy and Kevin Gausman will also get a good look, but they aren't expected to be part of the Opening Day rotation.

Jurrjens, who has been working out in Tampa, has had a uniform put aside by manager Buck Showalter and will join his new club on Saturday.

"That was one of my main goals, was to try to get a team to give me a chance again," Jurrjens said last month. "I know a lot of people are scared with the past history of my knee, but I'm ready to prove some people wrong and show that I'm ready to go again."